Fungii Mama: Tuba
Fungii Mama: Tuba Sheet Music Preview

Fungii Mama: Tuba

By Blue Mitchell / arr. Victor López

Grade: 2 (Medium Easy)

Item: 00-PC-0016840_TB1
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Description
A jazz calypso at around 168 BPM, "Fungii Mama" will grab you immediately. It is a fun chart with a catchy melody that includes a written-out tenor solo and trumpet 1 range only to written E top space. (3:22)

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Fungii Mama: Tuba comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.

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Additional Details
Series: Young Jazz Ensemble
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 102
SKU: 00-PC-0016840_TB1

More about this title

About the Composer: Blue Mitchell

Blue Mitchell (1930-1979) was a trumpeter and composer who became a cornerstone of hard bop and soul jazz. His playing combined technical brilliance with emotional directness, and his compositions reflected the same accessibility and swing that defined his trumpet voice. Mitchell recorded extensively as a leader and sideman, earning respect across multiple jazz idioms while remaining rooted in the blues.

Why we love this

Victor López's arrangement captures the infectious energy of a classic calypso rhythm without overwhelming young ensemble players. The written tenor solo and restricted trumpet range (only to E in the top space) make this playable for groups still building range and improvisation confidence, yet the chart never sounds simplified. The catchy melody sticks with students after one read-through, which means they'll actually want to come back to it.

What to expect

Immediate lift and motion. The calypso feel creates a sunny, dance-like energy from the opening bars, and the melody is so direct it invites you in right away. Even in the written solo, there's a sense of joy and conversational ease that keeps the piece from ever feeling heavy.

Who it's for

Grade 2 jazz ensembles that want a high-energy opener or a fun break in the program without sacrificing musicianship. This works well for groups where not every player is a confident improviser, since the solo is written out and the ranges are manageable.

How to get the most out of it

  • Establish the calypso pulse in rehearsal before worrying about tempo. The clave rhythm underneath the chart needs to sit in everyone's body, not just the rhythm section.
  • The written tenor solo is a feature, not filler. Give it weight in the mix and make sure your tenor soloist has time to work out phrasing and tone so it feels like a real moment.
  • Keep the tempo honest at 168 BPM. The groove will feel lazy if you slip below this, and it will sound rushed if you climb. Use a metronome in sectionals to lock the feel.

How to use it

Program this early in a concert to set a relaxed, engaging tone. It pairs naturally with other uptempo selections and works especially well on programs that mix jazz standards with contemporary charts. At just over three minutes, it's the perfect length for a set opener or a breather between heavier pieces.

Skills your students will build

  • Calypso and clave rhythm reading
  • Playing with a steady, dance-oriented groove
  • Following written melodic lines in jazz context
  • Listening to and balancing a featured soloist

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